Feburary 19, 2012. Future Career.

I have been looking up a couple online forums for geoscience and geology graduates. One of the most debated topic on those forums were regarding employment in the geo field after graduation and there were quiet many responses in both positive and negative manner. I know I shouldn't make up my mind, or assess my future, based on these unconfirmed online sources, but these articles definitely got me thinking on the issues that I have been neglecting, or sort of avoiding.

What kind of occupation can you get into, or what can you do with B.Sc. in Geoscience?

I've always thought that this is an issue for 'future Ken' to find out, but from the tone of the writers on the forum, it's not. My belief, until now, was that I will be able to get the job that I want after graduation if I wanted to- just like how the university easily put the list of possible career next to each major on the information brochure. Apparently, this has become an old-fashioned idea in the last decades.

Where as a major like accounting, business, and management are very related to a certain career- the academic field that I am interested in, is not. It could be looked as a disadvantage for selecting this particular major but in my view, it's better to study what I would enjoy rather than what I would easily find a job with. For aside, I've heard often that even the degrees that once had high employment rate, like engineering, can't get into a line of work since the economic downturn.

However, I am not really worried or pessimistic about finding my career related to the field that I am interested in. As long as I am conscious about the issue and take initiatives from the early stage, I will make it out. Since I'm only a first year student- there will be tons of opportunities that I can take in the next years.


I am going to end this post with a couple of paraphrase from the forums that I want to constantly remind myself:

"...You guys looking for jobs need to network with your classmates and professors in order to find a job. Most young geologist I know got jobs because someone knew someone who was hiring. Your professors know geologist in the industry and you need to capitalize on that. They all have friends who are senior geologists or run their own companies. Pick their brains, befriend a professor, see if you can help them with their research. There is more to getting a Geo degree than showing up and turning in your homework. Network within the small Geo community and it will pay off ... I guarantee you if you work hard and look in the right places you will find a Geo job. There are tons of them out there. I have friends working for environmental, oil, geo tech, and engineering companies and they are all hiring right now. Get out there and good luck."

"...I have to disagree with everyone who is saying geology is a worthless degree. It is a very employable degree that pays well whether you decide to do government, environmental or industry. The value of networking is the key which enhances your career. Most cities have a geological society that meets once a month. That is a great way to network and begin to meet people. Sometimes getting a job takes more than just filling out forms on the internet. Get your name out there. I couldn't find a job, so I googled local geologic-related companies, and I called all one hundred plus of them asking if their were any opportunities available for internship. It felt uncomfortable at first, but after a while I just got used to putting myself out there. Going to conventions like AAPG or the AAPG student expo helps as well.  However, from what I understand, it is fairly unusual to work in oil and gas for an actual oil company without a graduate education... "